Women’s Basketball Set for Road trip to Furman & Wofford
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team will continue on the road this week with a trip to South Carolina to take on Furman on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Wofford on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
Game Info at Furman
Where: Greenville, S.C. | Timmons Arena
When: Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Game Info at Wofford
Where: Spartanburg, S.C. | Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium
When: Saturday, Feb. 10 | 2 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNCG
The Spartans most recently dropped a 78-71 matchup to Western Carolina in Cullowhee on Saturday, Feb. 3 in the Ramsey Center to close out the first half of The Southern Conference (SoCon) action.
Three Spartans scored double figures in the game. Jayde Gamble led both teams with 21 points, Ayanna Khalfani followed closely behind with 18 points, while Kelly Boyle chipped in for a career high of 15 points.
Khalis Cain paced the Spartans with eight boards.
UNCG recorded 24 points from turnovers to Western Carolina’s 13.
The Spartans posted 21 second chance points to the Catamounts seven.
UNCG notched 24 bench points to Western Carolina’s 16.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
The Spartans will head to South Carolina with a 14-8 overall record and 3-4 in SoCon action.
UNCG is currently in a three-way tie with Samford and Mercer for fourth place in the conference.
The Spartans are ranked 33rd in the country with a 14.4 offensive rebounds per game average. This is due largely to the fact the Cain is 15th nationally with a 4.0 offensive rebounds per game average.
UNCG currently leads the conference in three categories with a 4.2 blocks per game average, a 2.55 turnover margin and a 16.32 average of turnovers forced in a game.
Gamble continues to stand out nationally at 22nd and 34th in steals (56) and steals per game (2.55), respectively. Additionally, she is third in the conference with a 44.9 field-goal percentage.
As the lead career blocker in UNCG program history, Cain continues to lead the Spartans with 23 blocks this season.
Gamble paces the Spartans with 297 points, while Khalfani follows closely behind with 226 points.
The Spartans were picked to finish sixth in the 2023-24 SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll, trailing ETSU, Chattanooga, Mercer, Wofford and Furman and coming in front of Samford and Western Carolina.
Isys Grady was named to the 2023-24 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team after her efforts in the 2022-23 season.
SCOUTING THE PALADINS
Furman heads into Thursday’s contest with a 12-11 overall record and 2-5 in conference, while having only lost two games at home.
The Paladins currently stand at seventh place in the conference.
The squad most recently took a 79-62 loss at Chattanooga on Saturday, Feb. 3
Raven Thompson led the Paladins with 17 points in that contest.
As a team, Furman stands out nationally at 17th with a 26.9 bench points per game average, 16th with a 15.4 offensive rebounds per game average, and 18th with a 42.43 rebounds per game average.
Furman leads the conference in assists per game (13.9), bench points per game (26.9), free-throw attempts per game (17.61), free-throws made per game (12.48), rebound margin (10.0), offensive rebounds per game (15.4), rebounds per game (42.43), and scoring offense (69.3).
Jada Session ranks 40th in the country with 201 rebounds and 62nd with an 8.7 rebounds per game average.
Sydney Ryan stands out at 32nd in the country with a 41.4 three-point percentage.
Furman was tabbed to finish fifth in the 2023-24 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, while Tate Walters was named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team.
SERIES HISTORY VS THE PALADINS
The Spartans lead in the overall series against the Paladins at 31-27. The two teams last met earlier this season in Fleming Gym with the Spartans claiming a 70-55 victory over the Paladins. Four Spartans earned doubles figures in the contest.
SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
Wofford heads into the week with a 13-8 overall record, 5-2 in the SoCon and 10-1 at home.
The Terriers stand at second place in the conference, just behind Chattanooga, who is undefeated in SoCon play.
Wofford most recently gained a 77-65 win over ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn.
Four Terriers had double figures in the game, with Rachel Rose leading the way with 24 points.
Rose has stood out for not only Wofford this season, but across the SoCon as she has been named the SoCon Women’s Basketball Player of the Month three times and has been named the SoCon Player of the Week six times.
The Terriers are ranked third nationally with 34.4 three-point percentage from defense.
Wofford leads the conference in six categories: assist/turnover ratio (0.96), field-goal percentage defense (36.0), offensive rebounds per game (28.0), three-point attempts per game (25.5), three-point percentage defense (23.4), three-pointers per game (7.8).
Rose leads the conference in a whopping 11 statistical categories: assist/turnover ratio (2.29), assists (119), assists per game (5.7), double-doubles (8), free-throw attempts (112), free-throw percentage (90.2), free-throws (101), points (456), points per game (21.7), defensive rebounds per game (7.0), rebounds per game (9.1), and has one triple-double.
Wofford was picked to finish fourth in the Preseason SoCon Coaches’ Poll, while Rose was named the 2023-24 Preseason Player of the Year.
The Terriers will host Western Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. before welcoming in the Spartans.
SERIES HISTORY VS THE TERRIERS
UNCG leads in the overall series to Wofford at 39-20. The Spartans and Terriers met earlier this season in both of their SoCon openers. UNCG was able to come away with the 67-58 win over Wofford in Greensboro. Gamble led UNCG with 22 points, nine boards and five steals in the game.
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
TICKETS
To purchase tickets for any home games for the 2023-24 UNCG women’s basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.
UP NEXT
Following this week’s games, the Spartans will return home to take on Samford on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. and Mercer on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in Fleming Gym.
PROMOTIONS
Thursday, Feb. 15:
Breast Cancer Awareness. The first 100 UNCG students will receive a FREE pink beanie!
Saturday, Feb. 17:
Black History Month Celebration
The first 100 UNCG students will receive a FREE t-shirt!
Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro